Good Tankmates for Barbs

Barbs are types of fish found in the family Cyprinidae. Most fish known as barbs are in the genus Barbus, but not all of them are. Each barb species has different needs. Each species may also display a slightly different temperament. However, most barbs have similar needs and temperaments, which will help you decide what other fish to house with them.

  1. Short-Finned Fish

    • Although some barb species are peaceful, and some individual barbs may not show a tendency toward aggression, most barbs are known to nip or bite other fish. This is most common when the barbs are housed with fish with long or flowing fins. These large fins are too tempting for the barbs to leave alone, and constant nipping of these fins can injure the other fish. This behavior may cause other health problems, such as infections, in the other fish as well. Keep barbs with fish that have short fins, such as zebra danios.

    Similarly Sized Fish

    • When dealing with fish that are sometimes known to be aggressive, one of the aquarium rules of thumb is to house them with other fish that are the same size or bigger. Most aggressive fish do not want to pick on a fish that is larger than itself. If the tank mates you select are known as peaceful fish, they could be larger than your barbs. However, if the tank mates you select are also aggressive, they should be about the same size as the barbs, in order to keep the balance. Bala sharks, kissing gouramis, and kuhli loaches can all be housed with some types of barbs. Most barb species are schooling fish, as well, and can be housed with other barbs of the same species.

    Fish with the Same Water Needs

    • It only makes sense to house together fish that have the same water needs. Some barb types are tropical and require warmer water temperatures, while other barbs need cooler temperatures. Different fish also require different pH levels in the water. The amount of plants, space in the aquarium and diet can also determine which fish can be housed together. For example, a rosy barb could be kept with a penguin tetra because they have similar needs.

    Shy Fish

    • Sometimes, a school of active fish help fish that are shy or easily stressed feel calmer in the aquarium. Fish that are energetic and swim everywhere in the aquarium, as many barbs tend to do, can help stressed fish feel more comfortable about swimming into the open areas of the aquarium as well.